February 7, 2013

Future leaders: Students help organize All-University Open House that will remember history while looking ahead

A group of Kansas State University students are bringing the past and future together in one fun-filled day. This year's All-University Open House celebrates the university's 150th year as a land-grant institution, and the students on the All-University Open House Coordinating Committee are doing their part to make it a celebration to remember.

Students from disciplines across campus are volunteering in different capacities for this year's open house, which will take place Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Manhattan and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Salina and Olathe campuses. Open house is an annual event to show the public and prospective students what K-State is all about, and students play a big part in its organization.

"We're very proud of our student leaders," said Emily Lehning, assistant vice president for student life. "Open house is an excellent opportunity to showcase and enhance our students' leadership and academic achievements. Open house brings together our students, faculty and staff for a fun and educational day."

Interactive displays, fun activities, games, informational booths and more will highlight all aspects of K-State -- including student life, research and academic programs -- while celebrating the university's rich history and looking toward its bright future.

According to Adrienne Besler, junior in elementary education, Evergreen, Colo., and the student coordinator on the All-University Open House Coordinating Committee, this year's open house theme -- Experience Tradition, Be the Future -- says it all.

"K-State has a rich history, full of tradition," Besler said. "Open house is just one of the many exciting K-State traditions, celebrating a long history of student leadership through the years. It is especially exciting to celebrate K-State’s 150th anniversary this year."

Joining Besler on the All-University Open House Coordinating Committee are the following students:

From Greater Kansas City: Molly Melling, third-year veterinary medicine student, representing the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Lauren Wormington, junior in elementary education, representing the College of Education, both from Leawood; Jessica Long, senior in chemical engineering, Lenexa, representing the College of Engineering; Dom Robinson, freshman in journalism and mass communications, special events chair, and Sarah Thies, junior in athletic training, representing the College of Human Ecology, both from Olathe; Brenna Ford, junior in communication studies, Prairie Village, public relations chair; and Angela Carpenter, sophomore in accounting, Stilwell, representing the College of Arts and Sciences.

Haley Fairbank, junior in elementary education, representing the College of Education, and Meghan McCoy, sophomore in apparel and textiles, representing the College of Human Ecology, both from Hutchinson; Alissah Ferris, senior in accounting, Louisburg, representing the College of Business Administration; Jill Abbott, senior in psychology, Smith Center, representing the College of Arts and Sciences.

From Topeka: Melissa Geist, senior in elementary education, representing the College of Education; Meredith Muller, senior in fine arts, representing the School of Leadership Studies; and Kelsey Yadon, senior in communication studies, representing the College of Arts and Sciences.

From Wichita: Victoria Gable, senior in marketing, representing the College of Business Administration; Taylor Robillard, senior in construction science and management, representing the College of Engineering; and Katie Watkins, sophomore in journalism and mass communications, entertainment co-chair.

From out of state: Allison Bryan, master's student in biomedical science, Huntington Beach, Calif., representing the College of Veterinary Medicine; Tiffany Harms, junior in elementary education, Fountain, Colo., representing the College of Education; Kara Schwarzkopf, junior in animal sciences, Camden, Ind., representing the College of Agriculture; and Shirley Robinson, junior in family studies and human services, Jefferson, S.D., entertainment co-chair.

From out of country: Julie Wu, senior in elementary education and modern languages, China, representing the College of Education.